TRENTON
- The New Jersey Division of Consumer
Affairs and the New Jersey Public Interest
Research Group today joined forces to
educate and alert consumers to the potential
hazards of children’s toys as the
holiday shopping season begins in earnest
this week.

"Shopping
for children’s toys is always a
fun experience, but it also demands our
careful attention and research as not
all toys are safe for all children,"
said Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly
Ricketts. "That is why we are working
hard to make New Jersey shoppers aware
of the potential hazards involved, so
we can help make this year’s holiday
season safer than ever for kids throughout
the state."

During
the annual toy safety news conference
with NJPIRG in Trenton, Director Ricketts
distributed a list that "red-flags"
some of the more hazardous toys that have
already been recalled by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Investigators
from the Office of Consumer Protection
and county consumer affairs agencies throughout
the state will be visiting toy stores
during the holiday season to ensure that
these recalled toys have been removed
from the shelves. If any recalled toys
are found, inspectors will advise the
store to remove them from the shelves
and will report their findings to the
CPSC. A complete list of recalled toys
is available on the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

"While
these toys should no longer be on the
shelves of local toy stores or available
on-line, the reality is that these toys
are likely still in the marketplace, and
unknowing consumers may still purchase
them," said Director Ricketts. "We
will be canvassing the state throughout
the holiday season to make sure that toy
stores are not carrying these products
and, if they are, that they are removed
from the shelves."

Additionally,
Director Ricketts recommended that shoppers
follow these common-sense tips for toy
safety, both before and after purchasing
gifts this holiday season:

When
selecting toys, shoppers should:

Avoid
toys that have objects that can be shot
or propelled.

Avoid toys that make loud noises, like
cap guns, because they can damage a
child’s hearing.

Make sure strings and ribbons are no
longer than 6 inches to prevent strangulation,
and

Avoid toys with sharp points or edges.

After
purchasing toys, consumers should:

Spot
check toys regularly for minor damage
and urge children to let you know when
a toy needs repair.

Throw away all toy packaging, such as
plastic, cellophane and Styrofoam.

Make sure batteries in toys are properly
installed and never allow your child
to sleep with a battery-operated toy.

Teach your child to use every toy properly.

"We
teach our children to do their homework
and use common-sense, and we should follow
those same rules when shopping for toys
this holiday season," concluded Director
Ricketts. "The health and safety
of our children depends on it."

Hazard:
The orange paint
on the floor mat maps contains excess
levels of lead. Lead poisoning is
a serious hazard to children and
is associated with behavioral problems,
learning disabilities, hearing problems
and growth retardation.